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Ex-Laker Javaris Crittenton arrested in Orange County

August 30, 2011 | 8:00
am

Former Laker Javaris Crittenton was arrested by the FBI Monday night at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana because of his alleged involvement in a fatal drive-by shooting in Atlanta, according to a report in the Associated Press.

Crittenton planned to take a red-eye flight to Atlanta to turn himself into authorities before proclaiming his innocence. Before Crittenton could board his flight, he was taken into custody. Authorities allege that Crittenton fatally shot Jullian Jones on Aug. 19 in the woman's driveway in Atlanta. Police told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Crittenton, 23, had reported being robbed of jewelry earlier this year and might have mistaken Jones as the thief when he opened fire as he drove by in a sport utility vehicle. Police had been seaching for him for several days, and the FBI was correct in believing Crittenton was in Los Angeles.

According to tweetscenter.com, Crittenton posted the following Friday to his now-deleted Twitter account: “This is crazy. Trouble seems to follow me for some reason.” Crittenton pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation on a misdemeanor gun possession charge stemming from his confrontation with teammate Gilbert Arenas in the Washington Wizards' locker room in 2009. Both players were fined and suspended by the NBA for the rest of the season.

Crittenton played a limited role with the Lakers after they selected him with the 19th pick in the 2007 NBA draft, appearing in 22 games and averaging 3.3 points. But he was part of the seven-player trade with the Memphis Grizzlies that sent Pau Gasol to the Lakers.